New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-05

special labor commission examine the whole subject Of
the grievances OF labor to hear complaints and sgges
tions, to take evidence If deemed necessary and to
recommend measures for adoption to this or the next
labor interests and the welfare of the Industrial classes,
is commended TO your thoughtful consideration.
The intelligent and deliberate determination report
or such tribunal would unquestionaby devise many
desirable measures of relief and remedy numerous exist
ing grievances and mt the time relieve the Legis-
bills relating labor subjects which are annually pre-
scented for their consideration
ADULTERATIoN OF FOOD.
Our statute books for many years have borne laws de-
signed TO prevent the manufacture and sale of aduter
ated food and drugs Within few years particular atten
ton has been directed to specific branches OF the subject
and enactments have been made in relation milk, but
yer, cheese confectionery hops, vinegar anu canned
goods Those laws should be enlarged TO include
numerous other articles OF consumption The PreyeI-
on of the sale of impure fraudulent articles OF food
or the greatest importance not only to the health OF ALL
anu merchants OF our state Every person Is consumer
and so interested on the OF health or economy,
the larger part Of whose limited income is necessarily
spent for food The thousands of honest producers and
OF legitimate protection to trade
In carrying out such laws have upon this subject
government by the local boards OF health in several
OF our cities but some enlargement in the scope and
tries have brief and simple enactmens, which are be-
eyed TO afford their people protection in great measure
from injurious ingredients in food least afford
purchasers knowledge by means Of proper labels
spicuous notices. of the composition and quality of the
recommend that such laws we have relating to the
aduteraton Of food and drugs shall be amended where
ute and that power TO enforce such statute shall be
vested in the State Board OF Health in single OFF,
cia may be substituted for it, and especially recon-
mend that there be incorporated therein some plan for
the effective enforcement Of such law by the combined
action Of local boards OF health throughout the State
ARBITRATION OF LABOR DISPUTES
Tho Legislature last winter very wisely inaugurated
system of arbitration of legally settling labor
disputes This action taken at the request OF tho
labor organizations OF the State and bill passed
entitled An act to provide the amcable adjustment
of grievances and disputes that may arise between
poyers and employees and to authorize the creation Of
prompt approval and has since attracted widespread at
tcntion.
Under its provisions competent State board was ap
polntedby the Executive, which unanimously con-
trmed by the senate and although the law has been IN
at the start met with obstacles in its work those
for whose benefit the specially enacted
somewhat suspicious OF It, and reluctant TO avail them
selves Of Its benehcent provisions yet attery the law
has become better understood and the true functions of
the hoard have been compehended and appreciated ts
services haveDeen repeatedly sought and II has amicaby
aud with reasonable satisfaction adjusted many serious
and important labor differences. and the wisdom Of its
creation is steadily becoming more apparent.
is 10 he regretted that by the terms of the law the
stence OF the Arbitration Board is limited To year. 1t
is apparent that this period is not sufficient to afford
there seems TO be general desire, particularly in
labor circles that the commission should be extended
TEN Of settling labor difficulties may be fully demon
srated In view of the conceded and growing importance
course be adopted.
MANUAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS
Not the least important element in the present status
OF the labor question is the apprenticeship and
education of the growing youth, upon whose
training and fitness for action much
future, both In National welfare and in
divdual well being depends The decadence OF appren.
tceship is fact null Of serious and frreachng
a remedy. Apprenticeship laws are still e1tant the
statute books but investigation proves that to all In
the march Of time The Old apPrentcehip system has been
left behind As machinery has advanced apprenticeship
Any inquiry the present future prospects of
its principles aud It's purposes Reliable statistics prove
that large majority OF all skilled workmen in this state
are of foreign birth but few naveborn Americans being
found in any OF the more prominent industries fact full
serious reflection aud without attempting nj this time
10 into any general discussion OF present public
school stcm there Is nevertheless, conviction that
il largely responsible for present condition IN this re-
speo Education with us is not the privilege OF the few,
but the hight u the many aud the changes in the
trade aud business In mode Of travel and transmission
In aud manufactures generally, all suggest the
necessity Of changes IN our methods OF education our
literary education 50 70 term H. comes far short OF our
needs. IL seems hitherto ~ have been with view 10
rdmentary general knowledge for commercial and
professional pursuits there being no adequate provision
Tor the particular wants OF The artisan and the daywage
that public school education should not
he limited TO what hat, is Is called e" book
ton for that labor 70 which vast majority in ali 6cun-
tries are destined In our present Industrial conditions
10 earn living is failure Its not believed that the
present system successful as It has been In the past
sufficient Tor the future needs OF our American Youth;
and would therefore recommend making manual train
ing within certain limits part the public school sys-
tenn certainly In the cities AMI larger tow State,
aud also the necessity OF and stringent ap
premiership law 10 meet the requirements and wshe.
alike of manufacturers and organized abor law that
Will be IN harmony with our changed industrial cond
tons ana In sympathy with that public sentiment which
demands that our youth sexes shall be given an
opportunity to compete with the imported skilled labor.
PROTECTION FROM RAILROAD FIRES.
The frequency OF fires caused by locomotive engines
and the injuries sustained thereby TO the property along
the lines OF the railroads OF the state and the inadequa
or existing law properly protect and indemnify the
owners OF such property, render the passage OF some
remedial statute III relation thereto peculiarly appro
Pirate
comp"nie are not now aY for dages by IRE set py
their ocomoth unless 1T lie proved that they are
Grafton thereof This pFuof 1t is oftentimes
very difficult impossible to furnish, and it
depend upon that question but that sound public policy
requires that they should be absolutely liable for All such
damages, and that statute 10 that effect should DO
acted for the protection and indemnity OF our farmers
% oGTS c on Ie Oo 81 bsre SraSoscd
has been in operation In Massachusetts since 1910, and
the proprety OF It's enactment III this state endorsed by
the Board OF Railroad Commissioners.
The statute should provide that the railroad companies
be regarded ~ having ali nsrable interest IN the pro
thereon III their own behalf, and thus amply pro
tect themselves
ABOLITION OF ANOTHER OFFICE.
In addition to those Offices the abolition Of which was
recommended by me last which recommendations
have reiterated, there is the office of Agent for
Discharged Conycts" which it is believed can with adj
vantage. be done away with. The duty OF the State
agent ia visit the various penal institutions In
each month confer with those convcts who about
10 be discharged the following month"; for the purpose OF
inducing them to proceed immediately 10 suitable homes
and places where employment Will be provided them
and 10 furnish them with clothing transportation tools
practice only the three State prisons
fhaa oh beua of laW
The sum appropriated for the purposes OF the State
agent Is seventy five hundred dollars Of which II APP
pfars he receives salary and for expenses thirty
live hundred dollars thus leaving four thousand dollars
distribution to discharged convcts In other words
four thousand.
From investigation am satisfied that tho duties of the
state agent can be better performed by the wardens Of
the prisons without any additional expense and that
thereby discharged conycts will receive the full benefit
annrnnrinion nOmnaY made for them Instead OF